Why: France has effectively concluded a military alliance with Russia, a totalitarian state with imperialistic views. After Transnistria and Georgia, Putin is now sending his tanks, special forces, weapons and mercenaries to Ukraine in order to tear apart this peaceful and sovereign country. He does not hesitate to terrorize the local population, use insane propaganda, usurp the power of local authorities and kidnap, torture, and kill those who oppose his bloodthirsty and imperialistic plans.

By signing and implementing the sale of Mistral ships to Russia, France implicitly acknowledges the annexation of Crimea by Russia and enhances Putin’s capability to destabilize the situation in Ukraine. We denounce this shameful collaboration and will protest against this criminal transaction. Following the many demonstrations that took place around the world in 2014, we will now be holding a global protest to condemn this contract and express the deep concern of the international community regarding this dishonorable collaboration that ignores the founding values of the French Republic. On Bastille Day, July 14, we will demand that France remember these values! We will propose alternative solutions in order to preserve French jobs and naval industry, French dignity, the right of nations for self-determination and peace in the world. More about Bastille Day and the Mistral Deal.

We demand that:

the President of France François Hollande cancel the delivery of Mistral Vladivostok and the completion of Mistral Sevastopol;

France cancel training courses for 400 Russian sailors by the French Navy;

France start considering alternative solutions for the Mistral vessels: 1/ they could be purchased by the EU, NATO, Canada, USA, as proposed by experts; 2/ the Paribas Bank could purchase and lease them to NATO or the UN; 3/ other options.

that the international community impose third-level sanctions on Russia and that Russia immediately release political hostages from Ukraine.

Since you’re here – we have a favor to ask. Russia’s hybrid war against Ukraine is ongoing, but major news agencies have gone away. But we’re here to stay, and will keep on providing quality, independent, open-access information on Ukrainian reforms, Russia’s hybrid war, human rights violations, political prisoners, Ukrainian history, and more. We are a non-profit, don’t have any political sponsors, and never will. If you like what you see, please help keep us online with a donation!

Support Euromaidan Press

The three-month campaign leading up to the spring presidential elections officially started on 31 December 2018. According to current polls, no single candidate stands out. Among leading candidates, however, most can be classified as...